Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool's players to beware the threat of 'world class' Diego Costa and brace themselves for their biggest test so far.

Liverpool head to Stamford Bridge buoyant after they tore champions Leicester City apart but Klopp is under no illusion how difficult it will be against a Chelsea team that he recognises has made significant progress since the two teams played a pre-season friendly in Pasadena on July 27.

One of the driving factors behind Chelsea's terrific early form has been Costa, who has scored four goals in four Premier League games – including a double against Swansea on Sunday – and added another two for Spain against Lichtenstein.

Jurgen Klopp has warned his Liverpool players of the threat presented by Diego Costa

The Chelsea striker has struck four goals in four Premier League games for Chelsea

Costa scored a double against Swansea on Sunday, including a superb overhead kick

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DIEGO COSTA'S 2016-17 PREMIER LEAGUE STATS

Appearances - 4 | Goals - 4

Shot accuracy - 73 per cent

Chances created - 4

Pass accuracy - 71 per cent

Klopp has studied the video of Costa's performance at the Liberty Stadium and recognises Liverpool will be facing one of the most in-form forwards in Europe; it is a challenge has demanded his squad meet head on.

'He is world class,' said Klopp. 'If other supporters love you it's not a good sign. He is a real warrior on the pitch. He uses his body all the time – that is his quality – he was nearly unstoppable against Swansea. He could have been the man-of-the-match. He is strong, no doubt.

'Games against Chelsea are a special thing and always will be in the Premier League. They are a good side. I saw the 90 minutes versus Swansea and they could have won that game. They are a physically strong side. They are the champion of two years ago.

'Last season was not a Chelsea season but now they are back on track so we must be ready for a real challenge. They attack well and defend strong, but we are quite confident we can do something there.'

Klopp said that the striker was nearly unstoppable against Swansea in the Premier League

Liverpool came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on October 31 last season but that match arrived at a point when Jose Mourinho's reign was melting. The manager Klopp will face on Friday evening is in a completely different frame of mind.

Klopp has huge respect for Antonio Conte, not least after he defused a potential row between the clubs in America when he apologised for Cesc Fabregas' wild tackle on Ragnar Klavan, for which the midfielder was sent-off.

'The very important thing is he is a great manager, something like the Pep Guardiola of Juventus if you want,' said Klopp, who has reported Emre Can is fit to train again but is not yet available for selection.

The German manager admitted his great respect for Chelsea manager Antonio Conte

'He created their special type of play and had a very successful time there and with the national team. It is quite impressive what he has done until now but I don't play against Antonio Conte. I know about our respect for Chelsea but I am pretty sure from the other side it is exactly the same.

'They've seen us playing and they know we are not easy to play and that is what I thought most about in the last two days and what I will think about because there is always a way to create moments which we are not expecting.

'The problem is they maybe have the same plan. It is a game you can look forward to, even after playing our last game and then you become aware the next game is Friday at Chelsea - it sounds good. We will be ready for the challenge.'

Klopp revealed that Emre Can had returned to training but was not available for selection